PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq:ORCH), a leading international provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced that it has executed a three-year extension to a forensic testing contract with the Illinois State Police (ISP). Under the contract, Orchid Cellmark is the sole private DNA testing provider to the ISP through November 2013. Orchid Cellmark has been providing DNA testing to the ISP since 2004.
"This extension is important because the new Illinois rape kit testing law requires that DNA rape evidence must now be submitted to the crime lab within ten days and tested within six months, given sufficient staffing and resources," said Thomas Bologna, president and chief executive officer of Orchid Cellmark. "Illinois is at the forefront of DNA testing and we believe this law sets a new standard for other states to follow. While New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Memphis and Cleveland have adopted similar policies, Illinois is the first state to enact it as law," Mr. Bologna explained.
About Orchid Cellmark
Orchid Cellmark (Nasdaq:ORCH) is a leading international provider of DNA testing services primarily for forensic and family relationship applications. Orchid Cellmark is one of the largest providers of forensic DNA testing services and its DNA results are used by the criminal justice system to assist with the identification of perpetrators, the exclusion of suspects and the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals. The company provides DNA family relationship testing to numerous child services organizations and individuals seeking to verify parentage. Orchid Cellmark also serves immigration and security authorities for DNA testing of individuals. In the agriculture field, the company provides DNA testing services for selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong market positions in these areas reflect the company's accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the company's reputation for exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at www.orchidcellmark.com.
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: expectations regarding Orchid Cellmark's business operations and outlook; and Orchid Cellmark's belief that the Illinois testing law sets a new standard for other states to follow . Such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the risk that the ISP does not outsource the testing of rape kits; the risk that funds are not budgeted to test the rape kits, uncertainties relating to trends in government spending, outsourcing trends, technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark's products and services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection, litigation, the timing of release of federal and state funds, the timing and amount of contracts put up for bid, and Orchid Cellmark's ability to successfully offer its services directly to U.K. police forces. These risks and other additional factors affecting these forward-looking statements and Orchid Cellmark's business are discussed under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and "Risks Associated with Our Common Stock" in Orchid Cellmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, as amended, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.
Information contained in our press releases should be considered accurate only as of the date of the release. Information in any press release may be superseded by more recent information we have disclosed in later press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise. Press releases may contain forward-looking statements based on the expectations of our management as of the date of the release. Actual results may materially differ based on several factors, including those described in the press release.